i am planning on buying a 89 gs500e but i was told me and my wife couldnt ride togeather because if it botteming out with our weaght.could we use a rear shock from another bike the would keep it from botteming out when we ride 2 up?we both weight 265pounds.thanks.wayne grubbs.

I would think a katana 600/750 rear shock would do the trick and its a direct swap.  Then progressive or sonic front springs.

I weigh about 185 and I've ridden plenty of women on the back and our combined weight was over 265lbs and I didn't really have any problems. hope that helps you gauge it!

Quote from: Susuki_Jah on February 13, 2009, 04:42:30 PM
I weigh about 185 and I've ridden plenty of women on the back

Nice...

Quote from: trumpetguy on February 13, 2009, 04:46:00 PM

Quote from: Susuki_Jah on February 13, 2009, 04:42:30 PM
I weigh about 185 and I've ridden plenty of women on the back

Nice...

HAHAH just read that again. WOW! 

I never ride double but my bike doesn't know it.      I've been between 240-255# for all of the almost 150,000 miles I've ridden GS500s over the past ten years.  The GS500 is rated for a 840# gross vehicle weight and the bike weighs about 420# wet.  Good stock for a 400# load and I never bottom out with the stock rear spring and shock.  You might want to crank up the rear preload setting a bit.

I've gone a few hundred miles with my lady on the back while I still had the stock front and rear suspension. Great reviews from the passenger, especially compared to the backseat of her dad's FZ6. Riding 2-up is the only time when I have felt that more power would be helpful/ beneficial.

We haven't gone for any 2-up rides with the Kat 6 rear shock, but I imagine it will handle the weight even better.

I think it does ok two up, just set the preload on the rear to max. But watch those bumps while braking cause the front will bottom.

My wife and I have a combined weigh of 300 lbs. we ride nearly every weekend 50 to 250 miles and I've not had a problem. One of the mods I made, that my wife adores was I made a sissy bar for her.

the combined weight will mean you want a stiffer spring, yes. you'll also want to upgrade the front suspension with sonic springs so it doesn't bottom out when braking.

me (220 lbs) and the wife (120 lbs (ok, i'm lying)) ride just fine on 2up. you'll really want to upgrade the suspension though.

leave plenty of distance for slowing. the less aggressive you slow the less your hands / back will hurt. and the wife (or girlfriend ) will appreciate not bumping helmets.

Quote from: ohgood on February 14, 2009, 05:26:19 AM
the combined weight will mean you want a stiffer spring, yes. you'll also want to upgrade the front suspension with sonic springs so it doesn't bottom out when braking.

me (220 lbs) and the wife (120 lbs (ok, i'm lying)) ride just fine on 2up. you'll really want to upgrade the suspension though.

leave plenty of distance for slowing. the less aggressive you slow the less your hands / back will hurt. and the wife (or girlfriend ) will appreciate not bumping helmets.

you forgot to mention the main reason that you want to ease into braking and slowing down..... YOUR MANHOOD!     

I had to brake a little harder than I would have liked to while I had a young lady on the back and honestly I just sat there for a minute and let cars pass me ... it hurt pretty damn bad! slamned my boys right into the tank

I two up ride all the time.

I'm about 120lbs and my gf is about 110.

We do fine. Even though braking is scary! She knows how to ride very well.... he he he